Black Pudding gains ‘superfood’ status

Once the centrepiece of a hearty breakfast but disparaged as part of the unhealthy fry-up, the health benefits of the humble black pudding have often often ignored.

But in 2016 it has finally found its place amongst the superfoods of quinoa, kale and black beans as the newest addition to a balanced, healthy diet.

Although there’s no medical or even legal definition of what constitutes a ‘superfood’, according to online health retailer MuscleFood.com the blood sausage is “going to become a superstar of 2016”.

Clean eating of natural foods has been hailed as the way forward for health-conscious consumers and while processed food often gets a bad press, the black pudding has bucked this thinking

Practically carb-free, it contains iron and zinc - elements missing from many modern diets - as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium, all required to make healthy blood cells.

The news can only be good for Stornoway’s black pudding producers, which achieved European protected status in 2013. Charles Macleod Butchers has reported it has seen postal demand for its famous delicacy increase substantially over the last few days, perhaps due to this new superfood tag.

We have had a surge in the number of people ordering their black puddings direct

Lorna Maclennan

Lorna Maclennan, director of the butchers’ shop in Stornoway, said: “We have had a surge in the number of people ordering their black puddings direct, January is usually quiet, but we have had 100 orders with more coming in all the time.”

She added: “It’s been a staple on the kitchen table throughout the Hebrides for many years, it’s now good to see its benefits being recognised.”

The shop supplies to all over the country including London and Sheffield.

In fact such is demand that the business is in the process of expanding to create a stand-alone factory due to be complete within the next few months.